Running-gear for automobiles.



N0. 570,|2|. Patented Mar. I9, |901.

W. VAN VWAGONER. v v

RUNNING GEAR FOR AUTUMUBILES.

(Application med Apr. 2, 1900.) (No Model.)

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No. 67u,|-21. Patented mar. I9, |901.

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RUNNING GEAR F03 AUTOMOBILES.

(Application led Apr. 2, 1900A 6 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

WlTNESSES:

ATTORNEYS.

Patente'dmar. I9, 190:.

w. VAN wAGoNE''. ARUNNING 'GEAR FUR AUTOMOBILES.

(Appumion med Apr. 2, 1900.)

6 Sheets-Shei 3.

(N0 Model.)

THE nofws PETERS co., Moro-umu.. WASHINGTON. u c.

APatented Mar. I9, |901.

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va-VAN wAG-o'usftf RUNNING GE'AHFOR AUTUMGBILES.

(Appiicm'on mea Apr'. 2, 1900.)

6 Sheetsj-Sheet 4.

(No Model.)

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No. 67042:. Patented Mar. I9, |901.

w. VAN wAeoNE.

RUNNING GEAR FOR AUTOMOBILES.

(Application led Apr. 2, 1900.)

No. 670,12l. I Patent-ed mar. 19, mol. w. VAN wAGuNEn.

RUNNING GEAR FUN AUTDMOBILES.

(Application led Apr. 2; 1900.)

(No Model.) 6 Sheets-Sheet 6.

'Unire ST risica?.

W'ILLIAM VAN WAGONER, OF SYRACUSE, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO CENTURY MOTOR VEHICLE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

RUNNING=GEAR FOR AUTOMOBILES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 670,121, dated March 19, 1901.

Application tiled April 2, 1900. Serial No. 11,206. iNo model.)

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Be it known that l, WILLIAM VAN WAG- ONER, a citizen of the United States,and a resident of Syracuse, in the county of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Running-Gears for Automobiles, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to the running-gear of four-wheeled automobiles in which the mo tive power is applied to the rear wheels.

The object of my invention is to producea running-gear which is light, strong, and durable and which possesses the necessary flexibility to allow each of the four wheels to rise and fall in traveling over rough roads Without straining or wrenching the running-gear.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of six sheets, Figure l is a longitudinal sectional elevation of my improved runninggear, showing other parts of the automobilesuch as the wheels, body, and driving mechanism-in dotted lines. Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the running-gear. Fig. 3 is a similar View showing the rear portion of the running-gear and the connection of the side frames with the front axle in horizontal section. Fig. a is a detached horizontal section of one of the tubular-axle casings. Fig. 5 is a top plan view of the two reach-frames of the running-gear- Fig. 6 is a horizontal section, on an enlarged scale, of the inner portions of the tubular axles and connecting parts. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal vertical section in line 7 '.7, Fig. 6, viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. S is a longitudinal horizontal section of the outer end of one of the axles and connecting parts on an enlarged scale. Fig. 9 is a front elevation of the front axle and connecting parts. Fig. l0 is a fragmentary front elevation of one end portion of the front axle on an enlarged scale. Fig. ll is a vertical section in line ll ll, Fig. l0. Fig. l2 is a vertical section at right angles to Fig. ll in line l2 l2, Fig. 1l. Fig. 13 is adetached perspective view of one of the spherical knuckles which are secured to the front axle for supporting the front ends of the side frames. Fig. let is a perspective view of one of the spherical washers which are applied to these knuckles.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures.

A represents the fixed front axle, which is provided at its ends with pivotcd wheel-spindles a, which carry the front wheels A and are connected with the fixed axle by vertical steering-heads a. The axle A is preferably constructed of tubing, and the spindle and steering-heads are constructed and connected in any suitable or well-known manner.

B represents the two side frames or reaches of the running-gear, which consist each, preferably as shown, of a longitudinal outer bar I), a tubular axle-casing b', which is arranged transversely at the rear end of the longitudinal bar Z), and an angle-brace b2, which connects the inner end of the axle-casing b with the front end of the longitudinal bar b. The three members of each frame are arranged in a horizontal plane and forma light and rigid frame. The longitudinal barb and the brace b2 are preferably constructed of tubing, as shown, and secured with their rear ends by brazing or otherwise, respectively, in sockets b3 b4, formed on the axle-casing b. The front end of the brace b2 is rigidly secured by brazing or otherwise to the front end of the horizontal bar b. The front end of each side frame or reach is connected with the front axle by a flexible coupling, which is yshown most clearly in Figs. 3 and 9 to 14 and which is constructed as follows:

C represents a spherical knuckle which is arranged on the under side of the front axle A in line with the front end of the side reach B. This knuckle depends from the axle and is secured to the same by an attaching-flange c, brazed to the axle, or by other suitable means. The knuckle is provided with a longitudinal bore o, which dares from the center of the knuckle forwardly and backwardly.

D is a stud which is secured to the front end of the reach and projects through the bore of the knuckle. This stud is preferably inserted with its enlarged rear portion d in the tubular bar b, as shown, and is secured by brazing. d' represents washers which are applied to this stud on the front and rear sides of the knuckle and which have spherical faces by which they bear against the These parts are held together by knuckle.

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screw-nuts d2, applied to the threaded front end ofthe stud. The weight of the reach and its load is mainly transmitted by the washers to the spherical knuckle. The stud is free to turn axially in the bore of the knuckle and is also capable ot' oscillating movement in any direction within the limits allowed by the Hare of the bore. The washers follow these movements of the stud and maintain a snug contact with the outer surface of the knuckle in all positions of the stud. These couplings enable either end of the frontaxle and either end of the rear axle to rise or fall without in any way straining, cramping, or twisting the frames or reaches or their connections with the other parts of the running-gear.

E represents the hollow or tubular rear axles, which are arranged within the axleeasings b of the frames and are each journaled in the same by an inner ball-bearing-F and an outer ball-bearing G, Figs. 3, 6, and 8.

H represents the rear wheels, which are secured to the outer ends of the hollow axles E.

I represents a cylindrical axle-core which extends through both rear axles and tits snugly in the bores of the same, so as to hold the two axles in line.

The inner end of each casing b is enlarged and provided with an inwardly-projectingcylindrical collar f, in which is seated the ballcup f of the inner ball-bearing F.

f2 represents the balls, and f2 the cone, which is arranged within the annular row of ballsf2 and which is secured to the axle E, near the inner end thereof, by brazing or otherwise.

The inner ends of the two axles E are connected by a compensating gearing of wellknown construction. This gearing consists, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7,0f the following parts: K represents the driving bevel-gear wheel, which is mounted with its hubZc loosely upon the axle-core I between the inner ends of the two axles. K represents bevel-pinions which are arranged in the body of the gear-wheel K, between the hub Zt and the gear-rim k2 thereof, and are journaled on radial arbors Three of these pinions are preferably employed, as shown. 7a4 represents bevel gearwheels which mesh with these pinions and are secured to the inner ends of the axles E by brazing or otherwise. represents the longitudinal driving-shaft, which carries at its rear end the driving-pinion k6. The latter meshes with the driving gear-wheel K in front of the axles E.

L represents the gear-Casin g, which incloses the compensating gearing and which is provided on both sides with laterally-projecting collars Z. These collars of lthe casin g iit upon and surround the collarsf at the inner ends of the tubular-axle casings b',V so that this gear-casing is supported on the inner ends of both axle-casings and can turn on the same. The gear-casing is provided on its front side with an extension Z', which incloses the driving-pinion k6 and which connects with the rear end of thetubular casing k7 of the driving-shaft 755. The gear-casing L is divided vertically intoa front and rear part,wl1ich are connected by bolts Z2, passing through ears Z3, as represented in Fig. 2.

The outer end of the axle and the parts connected therewith are shown in detail in Fig. 8 and are constructed as follows: g represents an enlarged collar which is secured to the outer end of each axle-casing b by brazing or otherwise, and which contains the ball-cup g of the outer ball-bearing G. g2 represents the ball-cone, which is mounted on the outer portion ofthe axle E and made adjustable toward the ball-cup, preferably as shown, by being connected with the axle by a screwthread. g3 represents a jam nut arranged against the cone, and g" represents the balls interposed between the cone and cup.

M represents the hub of the rear wheel, which is secured to the axle E outside of the ball-bearing by a key or otherwise.

The outer end of the axle-corel is provided with a screwthreaded stud n, to whicha washer n' and screw-nuts n2 are applied. The washer bears against the outer end of the tubular axle E. These fastening devices applied to the ends of the axle-core tie the two axles together and hold them against lateral displacement.

m represents a cap which is applied to the outer end of the hub M and which incloses and protects the fastening devices at the adjacent end of the axle-core.

In myimproved running-gear the rear parts of the two reaches are held in alinement transversely; but each reach is capable` of independent rotary adjustment at its rear end by the axle-casings turning on the ball-bearings of the axles and in the collars of the gear-casing and also capable of independent adjustment at its front end. This enables either of the four wheels to rise or fall without cramping or twisting the parts. The gear-casing is capable of rotary movement on the axle-casings and turns thereon as the front end of the longitudinal driving-shaft rises and falls.

I claim as my invention- 1. The combination of two rear-axle casings arranged in line with each other, side frames which are secured at their rear ends to said casings and hold the same rigidly in position, axles journaled in said casings, a driving mechanism arranged between the inner ends of said axles and connected therewith, and a casing which incloses'said driving mechanism and which is journaled on the inner ends of said axle-casings and turns thereon as the front end of the driving-shaft rises and falls, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of two rear-axle casings arranged in line with each other,side frames which are secured at their rear ends to said casings and hold the same rigidly in position, hollow axles j onrnaled in said casings,an axlecore extending through both hollow axles, a driving mechanism arranged on said core be- IIO IZO

tween said axles and connected therewith, and a casing which incloses said driving mechanism and which is journaled on the inner ends of said axle-casings and turns thereon as the front end of the driving-shaft rises and falls, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of two rear-axle casings arranged in line with e'ach other, side frames which are secured at their rear ends to said casings and hold the same rigidlyin position, hollow axles journaled in said casings,an axlecore extending through said axles, a drivingwheel mounted on said core between said axles, compensating gears connect-ing said wheel with the inner ends of said axles, a casing inclosing said gears and journaled on the inner ends of said axle-casings, a longitudinal driving-shaft journaled in said casing, and a driving-pinion secured to said shaft wit-hin said casing and meshing with said drivingwheel, substantially as set forth.

4. The combination of two reaches provided at their rear ends with axle-casings having each at its inner end an inwardly-projecting collar whichis provided on its inner side with a ball-cup, axles arranged within said casings and provided each near its inner end with a ball-cone, driving mechanism arranged between the inner ends of said axles and geared therewith, and a casing inclosing said driving mechanism and provided with lateral collars which surround the collars of the axle-casings and are journaled thereon, substantially as set forth.

5. The combination with two independent reaches arranged side by side and having axlecasings at their rear ends, of axles journaled in said casings and carrying the rear wheels .at their outer ends, a longitudinal drivingshaft, gearing connecting said driving-shaft with the inner ends of said axles, and a casing inclosing said driving-shaft and gearing and movable concentric with said axles, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination with two independent reach-frames arranged side by side and each consisting of a longitudinal bar, a rear-axle casing and an angle-brace connecting said casing with the front portion of said bar, of axles journaled in said casings and carrying the rear wheels at their outer ends, and a driving mechanism connected with the inner ends of said axles, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination with two independent reaches arranged side by side and each provided with a rear-axle casing, of axles journaled in said casings and carrying the rear wheels at their outer ends, a driving mechanism connected with the inner ends of said axles, a front support, and exible couplings connecting the front end of each reach with said front support, substantially as set forth.

8. The combination with a iixed front axle and spherical knuckles secured to the same and provided with longitudinal, flaring openings, of two reaches arranged side by side and provided at their front ends with studs which engage in the openings of said knuckles, and spherical washers applied to said studs on the front and rear sides of ysaid knuckles, substantially as set forth.

Witness my hand this 20th day of March, 1900.

WILLIAM VAN WAGONER.

Witnesses:

LEwIs D. MoLoUD, ALEXANDER D. J ENNEY. 

